Spectroscopy and efficient laser operation around 2.8 mu m of Er:(Lu,Sc)(2)O-3 sesquioxide ceramics

Identifier:  imarina:9228568

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9228568

Authors:  Basyrova, L; Loiko, P; Jing, W; Wang, YC; Huang, H; Dunina, E; Kornienko, A; Fomicheva, L; Viana, B; Griebner, U; Petrov, V; Aguiló, M; Díaz, F; Mateos, X; Camy, P

Abstract:
A transparent "mixed" 7 at.% Er:(Lu,Sc)(2)O-3 sesquioxide ceramic was fabricated by hot isostatic pressing of commercial sesquioxide powders at 1750 degrees C/200 MPa in argon atmosphere. It exhibited a cubic bixbyite-type structure (a = 10.198 angstrom), a mean grain size of 5.7 um and high low-signal transmission of 79.1 % in the near- IR. The spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions were studied. For the I-4(11/2) -> I-4(13/2) transition, the stimulated-emission cross-section sigma(SE) is 1.30 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 2719 nm, the corresponding luminescence branching ratio B (JJ') is 19.9 % and the radiative lifetime of the I-4(11/2) state is 4.80 ms, as determined using a Judd-Ofelt theory accounting for intermediate configuration interaction. The crystal-field splitting of Er3+ multiplets was studied at 12 K. The ceramic exhibits a significant inhomogeneous broadening of spectral bands. An Er:(Lu,Sc)(2)O-3 ceramic laser generated 342 mW at 2.71 and 2.85 mu m with a high slope efficiency of 41.7 % (exceeding the Stokes limit) and a laser threshold of 125 mW.